Pharmacy Technicians - Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record amounts and dosages of medications.
The national average annual salary for this occupation is $29,330 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $14.10. The average wage in New Mexico is slightly below the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $14.04 and most workers in this occupation earn between $10.40 and $15.86 per hour.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| Area | Entry Wage | Average Wage | Experienced Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Annual | $29,330 | ||
| National Hourly | $14.10 | ||
| Statewide Annual | $21,624 | $29,194 | $32,979 |
| Statewide Hourly | $10.40 | $14.04 | $15.86 |
| Metro Areas | |||
| Albuquerque Annual | $22,350 | $29,903 | $33,680 |
| Hourly | $10.75 | $14.38 | $16.19 |
| Farmington Annual | $21,592 | $28,960 | $32,645 |
| Hourly | $10.38 | $13.92 | $15.69 |
| Las Cruces Annual | $19,888 | $26,704 | $30,112 |
| Hourly | $9.56 | $12.84 | $14.48 |
| Santa Fe Annual | $22,057 | $28,982 | $32,445 |
| Hourly | $10.60 | $13.93 | $15.60 |
| Regions | |||
| Central Annual | $22,350 | $29,903 | $33,680 |
| Hourly | $10.75 | $14.38 | $16.19 |
| Eastern Annual | $20,323 | $27,783 | $31,514 |
| Hourly | $9.77 | $13.36 | $15.15 |
| Northern Annual | $21,817 | $29,536 | $33,395 |
| Hourly | $10.49 | $14.20 | $16.06 |
| Southwestern Annual | $20,179 | $26,755 | $30,043 |
| Hourly | $9.70 | $12.86 | $14.44 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website.
Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.
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New Mexico
2008 to 2018
In 2008 there were about 2,140 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will have no growth by about 40 percent and an estmated 2,980 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is growing more slowly than the average. Job opportunities are good or favorable, as there should be about 84 openings each year for workers in this occupation.
In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas
| Area | Estimated Employment 2008 | Projected Employment 2018 | Annual Percent Change | Total Annual Average Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 2,140 | 2,980 | 3.39% | 84 |
| + Metro Areas | ||||
| Albuquerque | 1,300 | 1,800 | 3.27% | 50 |
| Farmington | 100 | 130 | 2.66% | 3 |
| Las Cruces | 100 | 160 | 4.17% | 5 |
| Santa Fe | 110 | 140 | 2.80% | 4 |
| + Regions | ||||
| Central | 1,300 | 1,800 | 3.27% | 50 |
| Eastern | 290 | 400 | 3.40% | 11 |
| Northern | 360 | 490 | 3.18% | 13 |
| Southwestern | 150 | 210 | 3.75% | 7 |
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
Pharmacy Technicians usually need Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades).
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades) | 39% |
| Some College Courses | 37% |
| High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) | 16% |
| First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession | 3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 3% |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1% |
Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.
Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| + Brown Mackie College- Albuquerque | ||
|---|---|---|
| Website:http://www.brownmackie.edu/albuquerque/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | |
| + Carrington College | ||
| Website:http://carrington.edu/cc/schools/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Mon | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/montoya/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Sou | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/svc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wes | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/westside/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | |
| + Central New Mexico Community College-Wo | ||
| Website:http://www.cnm.edu/campus/wtc/index.php | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | |
| + Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell | ||
| Website:http://www.roswell.enmu.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | |
| + Pima Medical Institute | ||
| Website:http://www.pmi.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Pharmacy Technician/Assistant | |
This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.
| License Title | Contact | Year | Number issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | New Mexico Board of Pharmacy 5200 Oakland NE Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87113 (505) 522-9830 www.rld.state.nm.us/Pharmacy/ | 2010 | 5,649 |
Other available certificates or credentials may also be desirable. Additional local licenses or permits may be required, and individual businesses may have specific employment requirements. Licensing information is collected through a variety of New Mexico-based resources and does NOT include federal licensing requirements.
| Applied Mathematics | Applied Technology | Listening | Locating Information | Obersvation | Reading for Information | Teamwork | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.
| Industry | Percent of Employed |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 5.0% |
| Food and Beverage Stores | 4.4% |
| General Merchandise Stores | 16.4% |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | 36.9% |
| Hospitals | 12.1% |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | * |
| Nonstore Retailers | 20.4% |
| Social Assistance | * |
* Data is confidential.
Source: NMDWS, Economic Research and Analysis Bureau
- Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPHT)
- Drug Coordinator
- Pharmaceutical Care Associate
- Pharmacist Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Pharmacy Technologist
- Technician, Pharmacist
- Technician, Pharmacy Laboratory